SPORT: Chris Hoy

Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
October 6, 2008

OLYMPIC hero Chris Hoy said today he would use a civic reception in his honour to press the case for a new velodrome.

Hoy, 32, will be at the event in the City Chambers tonight, along with the city's other Olympic and Paralympic stars.

But he said he would also use the occasion to highlight the campaign for world class facilities to ensure future generations can continue to aspire to his triple gold winning success.

Hoy, who began his career at the Meadowbank velodrome which is earmarked for demolition, will tonight present a trophy created in his name to one promising young cyclist from the east of Scotland.

He said: "The velodrome is something close to my heart and I will take every opportunity to make my voice heard to the powers that be."

Hoy added that he had been inundated with sponsorship offers, appointments and invitations since his Olympic glory, saying the last month has been "the busiest time of my life".

There were calls for Hoy to be given a knighthood following his success, and speculation that the sponsorship deals he has secured could make him a millionaire before the year is out.

He said: "I'm certainly finding it a lot easier to secure sponsorship, but as for the amount of money I'm making, I've not seen the figures. You'd have to ask my manager about that.

"I'm really just focusing on getting back into training, which has been really difficult given all of the things that have been going on around me recently. I'm doing a couple of small races in Manchester, Milan and Notre Dame in the next few months, and the next big event is the World Cycling Championships. After that, I'll be taking it a step at a time."

Hoy has set his sights on London 2012, and believes his age is no barrier to continued success.

He added: "An Argentinean cyclist won gold at age 42, so it really depends on the individual. It's not out of the question that I'll be competing into my forties. We'll just have to wait and see."

Hoy was set to be joined at the reception by swimmers Gregor Tait and Kirsty Balfour and multi- medal winning Paralympic swimmer James Anderson MBE.

Other Olympians in attendance will include hockey player Stephen Dick, and judo stars Sarah Clark, Michelle Rogers and Euan Burton. Paralympians will include track and field silver medallist Elizabeth Clegg, swimmer Sean Fraser and judo expert Sam Ingram, who both took bronze in their events, footballer Mark Robertson and lawn tennis competitor Kevin Simpson.

Reception host, Lord Provost George Grubb, said: "Beijing 2008 was the sporting highlight of the year and Edinburgh's athletes brought home a fantastic haul of medals. The city is proud - we are lucky to have so many talented and dedicated athletes and this is Edinburgh's own way of congratulating them on their success."

City Council sports leader Deidre Brock submitted an emergency motion to council in August calling for an open top bus parade to be run through the city and for a reception to celebrate the success of Edinburgh's athletes.

Councillor Brock said: "The success of our Olympians and Paralympians in Beijing this year is sure to inspire Edinburgh people of all ages to get active and take part in the many sporting activities and events the city has to offer."